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What is JavaScript?

JavaScript is a standard programming language that can be included in web pages to provide functionality such as menus, sounds, and other interactive features. By default, Firefox enables the use of JavaScript and requires no additional installation.

Enable and disable JavaScript

In Firefox, you can configure whether JavaScript in web pages is permitted to execute or not. To allow JavaScript in Firefox:

At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Firefox button and then select Options.At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Tools menu and then select Options.On the menu bar, click on the Firefox menu and select Preferences....At the top of the Firefox window, click on the Edit menu and select Preferences.

Click the menu button
and choose Options.Preferences.

In the OptionsPreferences window, select the Content panel.

Enable JavaScript: Select this option to permit JavaScripts to execute on your computer.

To change advanced settings, click Advanced….

Click OK to close the Options window.Click Close to close the Preferences window.Close the Preferences window.

Advanced JavaScript settings

Through the Advanced JavaScript Settings window, you can configure the permissions for JavaScript.

Move or resize existing windows: To prevent JavaScripts from changing the position or size of existing windows, deselect this option.

Raise or lower windows: This option allows sites to place windows below or above existing windows.

Disable or replace context menus: When you right-click an item, a sub-menu may appear. This menu, called a "context menu," can be disabled through JavaScripts. To prevent them from disabling context menus, deselect this option.

Allow and block JavaScript on certain domains

JavaScript can be used to do things that some people don't like. For better control, you can install privacy extensions such as:

NoScript: allows JavaScript and other content to run only on websites of your choice.

Ghostery: allows you to block scripts from companies that you don't trust.

Note: Some websites use JavaScript for functions such as "on hover" drop-down menus, which may not work in Firefox on touch-screen computers. A solution is to disable the "HID-compliant touch screen" setting in Windows Device Manager (visit a Windows forum if you need more help); however, this solution will effectively change the touch screen into a plain screen while disabled.